Is Your Teen Ready to Babysit?

Your teen may seem like she's 13 going on 30: She's got perfect grades, charms all your friends, and is perfectly punctual. Still, is she ready to tackle a poop-filled diaper or a sick 7-year-old with a sugar high?

Babysitting can be a great experience for teenagers. It can teach them valuable lessons about parenting, responsibility, and finances. But sending your teenager to care for toddlers before she's ready is downright dangerous.

If your teen has asked to start babysitting -- or if someone's offered her a job -- ask yourself the following questions:

• How much experience does she have with children?
• Do I trust her to be prepared in an emergency?
• Would I leave my other children alone with her?
• Do I leave her home by herself?
• Is she comfortable interacting with adults?
• Does she use common sense?

If you're not comfortable with her taking a full-on babysitting gig, perhaps she could first market herself as a mother's helper. At the same time, enroll her in babysitting and CPR classes through your parks and recreation department or YMCA.

Once you think she's fully prepared, ask her the following questions:

• What would you do if a child was choking?
• Do you know how to change a diaper?
• What kind of meals would you make?
• What would you do if a baby wouldn't stop crying?
• Under what circumstances would you call a child's parents?

If she can answer those questions, allow her to take short jobs watching one child at a time. As she matures, let her work more hours and with more children.

The bottom line

Babysitting is a great job for many teens, but make sure your teen is fully prepared before she begins taking any child care jobs.